Ask the Professionals - The Doctors of the Plastic Surgery Center

Question: I have heard that the FDA has lifted the ban on silicone gel implants for breast augmentation. I currently have saline filled breast implants and am considering having them replaced with silicone. Do you think this is a good idea?

Answer: Silicone implants are once again available to patients seeking breast enlargement. Silicone gel implants do tend to feel softer, more “breast-like”, and there is a lesser chance of feeling wrinkles or knuckles in the implant. Things to consider are that silicone gel implants are about twice as expensive as saline implants and they have about a ten percent chance of breaking after ten years. If your saline implants break, your body will simply absorb the saline and you will “deflate”. Silicone gel is not biodegradable. If a silicone implant breaks, you may not even realize it. Because of this, the FDA has recommended that women with silicone implants have them evaluated beginning three to five years after implantation and every one to two years after that. This evaluation would require ultrasound, MRI, or perhaps both and may not be covered by health insurance. Finally, although replacement of breast implants is a relatively easy procedure, it is a surgical procedure and does have some potential risks. You should have a thorough discussion with a board-certified plastic surgeon of all the risks and benefits before embarking on any further surgery.

The Plastic Surgery Center is located in Sacramento and Roseville and can be contacted at 916-929-1833 or anuyu.com.